Nelson Refuses to Discuss Supreme Court Nominee

One thing is clear, Florida’s senior United States Senator Bill Nelson does not want to talk about the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. Nelson told the New York Times he was losing his voice and unable to talk with reporters about President Trump’s nomination of Kavanaugh.

For those who claim Republicans don’t care about the well-being of Democrats, the National Republican Senatorial Committee is offering Nelson a care package of cough drops, throat spray and honey to help the three-term Democrat regain his voice.

“It’s important that Bill Nelson finds his voice so he no longer has to dodge reporters’ questions about the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh, and the NRSC is here to help,” said Camille Gallo, NRSC spokesperson. “We hope these remedies will work and look forward to learning if Bill Nelson plans to obstruct a qualified nominee again or support a fully functioning Supreme Court.”

The tongue-in-cheek gesture is an effort to find out where Nelson stands on Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination. Last week Senator Nelson said he would likely oppose the nominee, even before Kavanaugh was selected. Then when Judge Kavanaugh was nominated Monday evening, Nelson put out a two sentence statement:

“I look forward to meeting with the president’s nominee in the coming weeks to discuss his views on several important issues such as protecting women’s rights, guaranteeing access to health care for those with pre-existing conditions and protecting the right to vote, just to name a few. I will make my decision after that.”

Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer is locking down votes in an effort to kill the nomination.

“It remains to be seen whether Bill Nelson can put aside his unquestioned obedience to Chuck Schumer and party-line politics long enough to make a decision on the U.S. Supreme Court nominee based on what is best for Floridians,” said Lauren Schenone, Scott for Florida Press Secretary.

Nelson has already voted against Kavanaugh once. He was one of 36 “Nay” votes when Judge Kavanaugh was confirmed to the D.C. Circuit in 2006.

No guessing here. Nelson will be a no vote – whether he wants to say so right now or not.